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Accelerated Neutral Atom Beam (ANAB) technology for nanoscale processing of solid surfaces and thin films
Existing surface modification technologies fall short of nanoscale requirements due to high particle energy and electrically charged nature of traditional ion beam and plasma-based techniques. Our Accelerated Neutral Atom Beam (ANAB) technique imparts beneficial functionality on metal, ceramic, glass, and polymer surfaces without such detrimental effects associated with existing technologies. The beam is created by expansion of gas through a specially shaped nozzle into vacuum. Due to adiabatic cooling, nanometer size clusters are formed, consisting of 500-5,000 gas atoms. The clusters are then turned into cluster ions by electron impact ionization and accelerated by high-voltage electric field. Finally, cluster dissociation is promoted by gas collisions, resulting in an intense, highly collimated beam of energetic, electrically neutral gas atoms with controllable energy ranging from less than 10 to beyond 100 eV per atom, an ideal range for many nanoscale surface modifications. ANAB enables highly controlled material removal from the surface, at a rate ranging from a few angstroms to about 20 nm per second. Due to a property known as lateral sputtering, ANAB can reduce surface roughness down to 1 angstrom level, while delivering surface modification to no more than 2-3 nm, levels unachievable with any other technique.
Si-Li-O nanocomposites as an anode material for Li-ion battery
- New nanoparticles which is composed of metal Si and Lithium silicate with particle sizes of 80 ~ 150 nm - New nanoparticles have high performance-active material as a Li-ion battery’s anode - Initial discharge capacity 900 mAh/g, initial columbic efficiency 85%, retention 90 %(@50cycle) - Production method was based on evaporation and condensation process
Safer Solvents for Contact-Adhesives
Solvent-based contact adhesives are used in everyday construction items and are typically used to bond wood, metals, leather, fabric etc. Solvent blends including toluene, hexane, acetone, and other solvents are typically being used to solvate polymers (rubbers and resins) in contact adhesive formulations. These solvents fall in the classification of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and present potential health, safety and environmental concerns to both the user and the surrounding environment. Inventors at UML have identified solvent blends that substitute for these hazardous solvents in these solvent-based contact adhesives to avoid the negative health effects. Few solvent blends have been identified as possible solutions to this problem: • Ternary solvent blend comprised of methyl acetate, methyl cyclohexane, and cyclohexene • Binary solvent blend comprised of methyl acetate and methyl cyclohexane. • Ternary solvent blend comprising Acetone, PCBTF (Parachloro-benzotrifluoride) & Cyclo-hexane. Solvent-based contact adhesives are used in everyday construction items and are typically used to bond: o Wood o Metal o Leather o Fabric • Particleboards to create countertops for kitchens and bathrooms
